Spotting undercover cops

INTRODUCTION

 

In this day and age, more than ever, police are using tactics that two years ago would be unthought of. Whether it is being done to repress political activity, stop general crime in communities or simply catch kids doing pen tags on the street it is insane what they can get away with, and what methods they are currently using. This thread is not supposed to get you paranoid, just alert.

 

 

PHYSICAL CONDITION

 

Undercover cops are cops who have been assigned

to undercover work. Ask yourself if the suspect

looks like he could be hired as a cop. Is he tall

enough to be a cop? Does he seem to be in good

enough physical condition to

have been hired as a cop? Does he look like he

could have passed the physical requirements of

the police ascademy? Do you think that he could chase

someone, catch him, and handcuff him? Can you

plausibly imagine him in a police uniform?

 

For example, if you are certain that he has only one leg,

there is no way he is going to be hired as a cop,

so he wouldn't be assigned to undercover duty.

Chances are your suspect is not an undercover cop.

But this isn't always the case.

 

When applying this rule, keep in mind that police

recruiters sometimes relax the physical requirements

a little (a lot?) to help achieve affirmative action

recruitment goals. For example, many jurisdictions

will hire a woman even if a man of the same height

would be too short. Try to imagine your

suspect in uniform, and ask yourself if you've seen

cops who look kind of like that in uniform

in that vicinity.

 

HOWEVER, police forces also hire civillian police, members of the community who volunteer to ride the lines and walk the streets to alert the police of a crime but not deal with it themselves, therefore, in this instance, it is completely plausible for a man with one leg to be an undercover. Civillian police communicate to cops and undercovers who are also in the area, alerting them of a crime. They often use a cell phone, nextel direct connect or a small walkie talkie.

 

CLOTHING AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

 

In Chicago, cops are going through great lengths to blend into their surroundings. But you can always spot an officer by his shoes. For example, if a cop (I have witnessed this before) Is wearing Diesel jeans and a vintage-style button up chances are he would not wear the dress shoes that are associated with the outfit. They obviously need a shoe that they can run in, so chances are they are wearing some form of gym shoe (considering they won't get very far in dress shoes or sandles). But, it is obviously out of the ordainary to wear a pair of New Balance, Aisics or Nike gym/running shoes with the outfit described above.

 

A lot of the time, they will wear a T-shirt (pretty much all the time with some sort of logo on it), a pair of jeans, and gym shoes. When they have a logo on the shirt it is generally a shirt that they own, not just use for work. If you see a suspected undercover, for example, with a Harley Davidson T-shirt on, you should think to yourself, does that fit a cops stereotype, would that be something a cop is interested in personally?

 

Look at their jewlery, necklaces and other accessories. Are they wearing a wedding ring, if so, that may not fit with the personna they are trying to uphold. In Chicago, undercover police are required to carry a badge at all times. I have found that they often carry it around their chests on a beaded metal necklace. It is often encased in a thick

leather holder, so you can sometimes see that sticking out against their shirt.

 

TRAVELING IN PAIRS

 

When undercover police travel in pairs, usually there are no more than two or three, and you should see what the suspected undercovers have in common. Usually, they will pair up like the following: man/women (same age range, couple), man/man (around the same age range, with the same sort of attitude and appearance), man/man/women (as in two are the couple and one is the friend). The man to women ratio is generally 1:1 or 2:1.

 

BEHAVIOR, MOVEMENT, CONDUCT

 

Imagine that you were hired as an undercover cop to help

make an intersection a little safer. First, you go to

the intersection. Choose one of the four corners, and wait.

Keep an eye out for what's going on. Does it look as

if two people are casing a check-cashing store? Get ready to

move. Maybe signal (to nearby undercover cops) the two

people who seem to be casing the store. That's the kind of

stuff that undercover cops sometimes do.

Naturally, the undercover cops

don't want to be obvious, but they HAVE to be obvious.

An undercover cop might try to casually lean against a wall

as if he's waiting for a friend to show up, or waiting for

a bus. He might have a newspaper that he pretends to read,

or a shopping bag (as if he's shopping). However, he MUST

look around. He can't alertly observe everything (which is

what he's getting paid to do) if he really

is reading the paper. Try to do it yourself. Go to

a high-crime neighborhood, find an important intersection,

and stand (or sit) there with a half-filled shopping bag

as if you're waiting for someone to meet you there.

Occasionally look at your watch to see how much more time

you'll have to wait for him. Occasionally, briefly try

to recognize someone a long way off, as if you think

it might be the person you're pretending to wait for.

That's the sort of behavior undercover cops engage in.

While you're doing all this, try to spot anything

criminal (someone sitting in a car selling illegal

drugs, a streetwalker trying to get customers, etc.).

After you've done it a few times, you'll get much

better at spotting others doing it

 

HOW THEY INTERACT WHEN THEY KNOW THEY ARE BEING OVERHEARD

 

Undercover cops in the Chicago area, when on the street

or in a subway station, train or bus generally don't talk much to each other

when they are watching for crime. (They patiently

wait: alert but still, hoping that they're not noticed,

waiting for something to happen, then suddenly pouncing

as soon as something does happen. Two minutes after the

undercover cops make

their first move, most ordinary people are walking

along the sidewalk without realizing

that they are passing a hancuffed person and two or three

plainclothes cops standing right by him,

with some plainclothes cops watching from

across the street, all waiting for a police car to come.

That suden, fastmoving arrest out of the blue

is one of the ways that you can tell that you were

watching undercover cops.)

If the undercover cops do talk to each other

while you can hear the conversation,

it generally sounds fake.

 

When two people argue, they often interrupt each other.

When two male friends are together and one is talking,

the other often makes wisecracks or interrupts in other

friendly ways. People madly in love often finish

each other's sentences.

 

When two undercover cops talk knowing that you are listening,

one tries to talk authentically, and the other tries to be

a good listener. It's lame. It's just not the way civilians

in that neighborhood

(who look like those two) talk.

 

Their gestures (during conversations which

they know are overheard) are even lamer.

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE SPOTTED

Sometimes, one undercover cop suspects that he's been

spotted. Sometimes, he tries to inconspicuously

warn his partner (by a nod in the oberver's direction,

or some other gesture). The cop's problem is that he

can't just walk over and tell his partner,

because the two are

pretending not to be related. So, the first one has

to somehow tip off his partner without seeming to

talk to him. You're standing back, watching the whole thing,

and it's a dead giveaway (if you already know which

person the first cop is trying to inconspicuously signal).

 

Sometimes, the first cop (the one who discovers

you watching

him) will glance at you now and then, and then walk away.

His cover's blown, so he might as well start new somewhere

else. Also, he may suspect that you're a

criminal about to

commit a crime against him, and he may want to entrap you.

For example, he may think that you want to rob, beat, or

proposition him, and he'll walk somewhere which (he hopes)

will tempt you you to try. If he walks away, look for his

partner. If there doesn't seem to be a

partner, and you're

out on the street or in a subway station, you may have

been watching someone who wasn't a cop. Of course,

don't stalk people. Don't follow someone around who

seems to be trying to get away. If you must follow,

follow at a considerable distance. Don't bring out anyone's

paranoia. [Leave that to cops.]

 

On private property (malls, shopping centers, department

stores), there are usually plainclothes security guards

who never were cops. Many of them are amazingly

stupid, rude, criminal, and heavy-handed.

Plainclothes security guards

who never were cops make little money, and are often

assigned to work on their own (without a partner)

Originally posted by trackstand

When they have a logo on the shirt it is generally a shirt that they own, not just use for work. If you see a suspected undercover, for example, with a Harley Davidson T-shirt on, you should think to yourself, does that fit a cops stereotype, would that be something a cop is interested in personally?

 

London undercovers have been known to wear Avirex and skating labels.

I saw a mixed-race uniformed policeman at the Glastonbury Festival that had dreads all down his back. Out of uniform you never would have guessed he was old bill in a million years.

 

Suspect everyone, and don't be bait.

Originally posted by trackstand

Try to do it yourself. Go to

a high-crime neighborhood, find an important intersection,

and stand (or sit) there with a half-filled shopping bag

as if you're waiting for someone to meet you there.

Occasionally look at your watch to see how much more time

you'll have to wait for him. Occasionally, briefly try

to recognize someone a long way off, as if you think

it might be the person you're pretending to wait for.

That's the sort of behavior undercover cops engage in.

While you're doing all this, try to spot anything

criminal (someone sitting in a car selling illegal

drugs, a streetwalker trying to get customers, etc.).

After you've done it a few times, you'll get much

better at spotting others doing it.

 

this is a fine way to get yourself fucked up.

whatever, you can spot the undercovers a mile away because they are white males in areas they never appear so they blow their own cover, furthermore niggas know all the black cops anyway, they show face in the hood too much already, so there is no hiding. we spot you fags a mile away. pigs!

 

ps if theres a white guy in the urban area he already is assumed to be a cop. or a fiend, either way we aint fuckin with you.

Originally posted by Rodney Trotter

and don't be bait.

 

realistically the best advice here.

Originally posted by Nutonce

whatever, you can spot the undercovers a mile away because they are white males in areas they never appear so they blow their own cover, furthermore niggas know all the black cops anyway, they show face in the hood too much already, so there is no hiding. we spot you fags a mile away. pigs!

 

ps if theres a white guy in the urban area he already is assumed to be a cop. or a fiend, either way we aint fuckin with you.

 

YEA YEA YEA NIGGA!!! 2XL!!! DA STREETS IS TALKIN MY NIGGA!!! DA STREEETTSSSS!!!!! SHOUTZ TA DEBO LOCKED DOWN!

cops in portland, or have been dressing up like ravers and busting people

i'm feeling what nut is saying to an extent, 80% of the time you see a white person in a high-crime area, he's either a cop or copping rocks.

Under covers are no good. But sometimes they are really easy to spot out. Other times though, they go crazy. Anyone in San Francisco who skates knows how the undercovers go crazy at like Pier 7 and the old EMB.

fuck undercovers, and fuck skating being illegal

i didnt find this shit helpful at all its all just common sense.

this shit is retarded...

 

Try to do it yourself. Go to

a high-crime neighborhood, find an important intersection,

and stand (or sit) there with a half-filled shopping bag

as if you're waiting for someone to meet you there.

Occasionally look at your watch to see how much more time

you'll have to wait for him. Occasionally, briefly try

to recognize someone a long way off, as if you think

it might be the person you're pretending to wait for.

That's the sort of behavior undercover cops engage in.

While you're doing all this, try to spot anything

criminal (someone sitting in a car selling illegal

drugs, a streetwalker trying to get customers, etc.).

After you've done it a few times, you'll get much

better at spotting others doing it

 

if you lived in a 'high-crime neighborhood' youd know that this how you get robbed or get your ass beat. dont go out and practice being an undercover, just use common fuckin sense. and bottom line, most undercovers in 'high-crime neighborhoods' will do whatever the fuck they want and wont give a damn if they look obvious cause they dont need a reason to fuck with you.

One way to avoid them is to NOT PAINT WITH PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW!!! And why would you hit up a tag in front of ANY person?

ever watch the shows COPS?? most of those undercovers are dressed in shit clothing,they are fat and bald and still can chase a muthafucka down,throw u to the ground and handcuff you...so thats the biggest crock if shit i have ever heard...SO TRACKSTAND YOU MUST BE AN UNDERCOVER PIG YOURSELF TO START A THREAD LIKE THIS!!:five-o: :five-o:

whether or not there is any worthwhile information here it was a pretty entertaining read.

Originally posted by the-quiet-1

SO TRACKSTAND YOU MUST BE AN UNDERCOVER PIG YOURSELF TO START A THREAD LIKE THIS!!:five-o: :five-o:

 

Must be.

man i come to viset this site and im blown away im used to bombing science and all these whack fucking threds fuck.....i think im gonna stay here

Haha, theres this one cop by this liqour store and since our school is an open campus (means you can go any where for lunch, but be back before the bell) so shit is always goin down there. And this cop acts all retarded shouting out racial slurs and what not to make himself more believeable, but one day my home girl was walkin and saw him get out of his wheel chair and put it in the back of his truck and drive away. She said it was hella funny cause this guy lookin like he hasnt used his legs for a few years just gets up :lol:

i saw undercovers doing a sting one day. it was wierd. the one i saw was wearing a hat to conceal his ear piece, used to communicate to his fellow officers. he was also on a bike. i thought he was gonna bust my downstairs neighbors. so... look for that ear piece. that a tell tale sign.

Yeah and if they start talkin to their "watch"

do undercovers ever try to get to know there suspects?

just delete this thread already.

look, we agree on something!

 

 

did you actually bother to write that 74 page dissertation on the fucking obvious?! was it your freshman thesis? was that your attempt to climb into the annals of graff hsitory or something? jesus christ dude.

seriously, if you have time to get a good enough look at someone that you can verify what kind of jewelry they're wearing, then why the fuck are you trying to paint that spot in the first place? i dont know about any of the rest of you, but i very rarely just stand around with a bag of paint, while there are several people near me, trying to pick out which one is a cop. as far as i'm concerned, they're ALL cops. better safe than sorry. even one person is too many, cause he might not be a cop, but he's got a cell phone and if he calls and reports some kids walking around vandalizing, you're not gonna need your 'how to spot an undercover' guide when they pull up in squad cars with the fucking lights flashing.

 

i dont know about chicago, but in ny undercovers roll around in taxi's and in reposessed drug dealer cars. i know of a very famous writer who was nabbed up by undercovers in a lexus suv. i guess dude should have paid closer attention to their shoes, right?

lastly, a whole lot more worthwhile topic would be 'how to not get spotted as a writer', which is a class i know you would fail.

 

i can't control how they're going about their business, but i have complete control over how i go about mine., nah'mean?!

Originally posted by seeking

i dont know about any of the rest of you, but i very rarely just stand around with a bag of paint, while there are several people near me, trying to pick out which one is a cop. as far as i'm concerned, they're ALL cops.

i dont know about chicago, but in ny undercovers roll around in taxi's and in reposessed drug dealer cars. i know of a very famous writer who was nabbed up by undercovers in a lexus suv. i guess dude should have paid closer attention to their shoes, right?

lastly, a whole lot more worthwhile topic would be 'how to not get spotted as a writer',

you should make that thread...seriously.

ok, you actually need a thread on how not to look like a writer?

take a look at every writer you know... now don't dress anything like them. wear clothes that fit. not two sizes too large, not two sizes too small.

when was the last time you saw a frat boy and thought 'that dudes gotta be a writer?' when was the last time you saw a bike messenger/art school, or hip hop looking white kid and thought that?

 

see how easy that was?

Originally posted by sneak

realistically the best advice here.

 

ditto. u can never be too careful, and try and be dead onto-it.

Originally posted by seeking

ok, you actually need a thread on how not to look like a writer?

take a look at every writer you know... now don't dress anything like them. wear clothes that fit. not two sizes too large, not two sizes too small.

when was the last time you saw a frat boy and thought 'that dudes gotta be a writer?' when was the last time you saw a bike messenger/art school, or hip hop looking white kid and thought that?

 

see how easy that was?

 

ditto again. i take that approach, its unsuspecting to some people. most people suspect writers to be a scruffy unshaven bunch, which is largely correct. but how many would suspect a guy who was cleanly dressed in a more fitted outfit? not many id say.

 

i myself suspect everyone. its safer. but not everyone is as careful.....

recently i heard of a very fucked up story including a good friend .. my friend was about to paint a rooftop downtown he has bee dying to paint .. when he got on the roof a uc cop saw him and went up there (wearin a backwards cubs hat to the right) and asked what he wrote what crews hes in who he knows and how long hes been writing...trying to play off as a writer himself....the nark asked my friend if he could do a piece and throw his name up in it...the cop pulled a camera out and said he would get flicks..once my friend started painting the cop said 'hey ima take a few action flicks' and he got about 10 flicks of my boy painting....10 minutes later he was like hey can i see that can...and after he got my friends trust he said your under arrest and cuffed him..